Optical device package

ABSTRACT

A waveguide includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises a material of a first refractive index. The second layer is surrounded by the first layer and comprises a material of a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index. The second layer comprises a main body, a first fork and a second fork. The main body has a first substantially constant thickness. The first fork is extended from the main body and has a first tapering end exposed by the first layer. The first fork has the first substantially constant thickness. The second fork is extended from the main body and has a second tapering end exposed by the first layer. The second fork has the first substantially constant thickness.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an optical device package. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an optical device package including a fork-type optical waveguide.

2. Description of the Related Art

In some optical devices, light is transmitted from a waveguide to an optical fiber (or vice versa). However, the mismatch between diameters and widths of the waveguide and the optical fiber reduces optical coupling efficiency and increases optical coupling loss.

A manufacturing process to address such problem may include tapering a receiving end of the waveguide. However, there is still a high optical coupling loss around the interface between the waveguide and the optical fiber even with the tapering. Another approach to address the problem may use materials of different refractive indices. However, the cost of such a manufacturing process is high and the process is complicated.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a waveguide includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises a first material of a first refractive index. The second layer is surrounded by the first layer and comprises a second material of a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index. The second layer comprises a main body, a first fork and a second fork. The main body has a first substantially constant thickness. The first fork is extended from the main body and has a first tapering end exposed by the first layer. The first fork has the first substantially constant thickness. The second fork is extended from the main body and has a second tapering end exposed by the first layer. The second fork has the first substantially constant thickness.

In some embodiments, an optical device includes a waveguide. The waveguide comprises a main body and a plurality of forks. Each of the plurality of forks has a tapering end and is extended from the main body. The forks are configured to propagate light beams that form constructive interference in the main body.

In some embodiments, an optical device package includes a waveguide and an optical fiber. The optical fiber has a surface configured to output light to the waveguide. The waveguide comprises a main body and a plurality of forks. The main body has a first substantially constant thickness. Each of the plurality of forks has a tapering end and is extended from the main body. Each of the tapering ends of the forks comprises a facet for receiving the light. A lateral distance between the surface of the optical fiber and at least one of the facets is less than about 25 μm.

In some embodiments, an optical device includes a waveguide. The waveguide includes a main body and an extension portion. The main body has a first substantially constant thickness. The extension portion has an end extending around a circumference of the extension portion. The extension portion tapers from the end towards the main body. The extension portion is configured to propagate light beams that form constructive interference in the main body.

In some embodiments, an optical device package includes a waveguide and an optical fiber. The waveguide includes a main body and an extension portion. The main body has a first substantially constant thickness. The extension portion has an end extending around a circumference of the extension portion. The extension portion tapers from the end towards the main body. The optical fiber has a surface configured to output light to the waveguide. A lateral distance between the surface of the optical fiber and the end is less than about 25 μm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that various structures may not be drawn to scale, and dimensions of the various structures may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an optical device package in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an optical device package in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an optical device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an optical device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same or similar elements. Embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure describe optical device packages having improved quality of light transmission. Moreover, according to some embodiments, the optical device package may increase the optical coupling efficiency of the package because at least some of the light beams propagating in forks of the package form constructive interference.

Spatial descriptions, such as “above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “side,” “higher,” “lower,” “upper,” “over,” “under,” and so forth are indicated with respect to the orientation shown in the figures unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that the spatial descriptions used herein are for purposes of illustration only, and that practical implementations of the structures described herein can be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner, provided that the merits of embodiments of this disclosure are not deviated from by such arrangement.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an optical device package 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The optical device package 1 may include two optical devices 10 and 20. The optical device 10 may be, e.g., a waveguide (or a portion of a waveguide). The optical device 20 may be, e.g., an optical fiber (or a portion of an optical fiber). The optical device 10 includes an oxide layer 11 and a light transmission layer 12. The light transmission layer 12 includes a facet 14 for receiving light. The optical device 20 includes a light transmission element 21 and a surface 22. The light transmission element 21 may be, e.g., a fiber core. The optical device 10 may be optically coupled to the optical device 20. The surface 22 of the optical device 20 may be used for outputting the light to the optical device 10.

The oxide layer 11 includes a material of a first refractive index. The light transmission layer 12 may be, e.g., surrounded by the oxide layer 11. The light transmission layer 12 includes a material of a second refractive index. In some embodiments, the second refractive index may be greater than the first refractive index. The oxide layer 11 may include, for example, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), silicon oxide (SiO_(x)), another ceramic, other suitable materials, or a combination of two or more thereof.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the optical device package 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The light transmission layer 12 includes a main body 12 a, a fork 121 and a fork 122. In some embodiments, the light transmission layer 12 may include a single fork, two forks, or more than two forks. The light transmission layer 12 may include, for example, silicon (Si), another semiconductor, other suitable materials, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the main body 12 a may have a first substantially constant thickness. In some embodiments, the light transmission layer 12 may have the first substantially constant thickness of, e.g., from about 0.1 micrometer (μm) to 1 μm, from about 0.2 μm to 0.8 μm, or from about 0.3 μm to about 0.5 μm. The thickness may be measured along a direction orthogonal to a central axis (represented by a line A-A as shown in FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the light transmission layer 12 may have a lateral width of, e.g., from about 0.2 μm to 10 μm, from about 0.5 μm to 5 μm, or from about 1 μm to about 3 μm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fork 121 is extended from the main body 12 a. The fork 121 has a first tapering end 121 a exposed by the oxide layer 11. The fork 122 is extended from the main body 12 a. The fork 122 has a second tapering end 122 a exposed by the oxide layer 11. The tapering ends may also be referred to as tips or tapers. Each of the first tapering end 121 a and the second tapering end 122 a may include a facet 14 for receiving light. In some embodiments, the lateral width of the facet 14 of at least one of the tapering ends 121 a and 122 a may be, e.g., less than about 0.05 μm, less than about 0.1 μm, less than about 0.2 μm, or less than about 0.5 μm.

In some embodiments, the width of at least one of the first tapering end 121 a and the second tapering end 122 a may be, e.g., less than about 0.05 μm, less than about 0.1 μm, less than about 0.2 μm, or less than about 0.5 μm. A lateral distance (e.g., twice of the Gap shown in FIG. 2) between the first tapering end 121 a and the second tapering end 122 a may be about 1 μm to 3 μm. The light beams may be received through the facet 14 and propagate in the forks 121 a and 122 a. At least some of the light beams propagating in the forks 121 a and 122 a may form a constructive interference in the main body 12 a.

In some embodiments, the main body 12 a and the forks 121 and 122 have the same first substantially constant thickness of, e.g., from about 0.1 μm to 1 μm, from about 0.2 μm to 0.8 μm, or from about 0.3 μm to about 0.5 μm. In some embodiments, the forks 121 and 122 may be disposed symmetrically. In some embodiments, the main body 12 a has a central axis along a line A-A as shown in FIG. 2. An angle between the central axis and one of the first tapering end 121 a and the second tapering end 122 a may be, e.g., less than about 0.5 degree, less than about 1 degree, less than about 5 degrees, or less than about 10 degrees. The shape of the facets 14 of the tapering ends 121 a and 122 a may be, e.g., a rectangle, a square, a circle, etc. The lateral buffer distance (e.g., L_buffer shown in FIG. 2) between the surface 22 of the optical device 20 and the facets 14 may be, e.g., less than about 5 μm, less than about 10 μm, less than 25 μm, or less than about 50 μm.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, the waveguide 10 does not have a waveguide tip or a waveguide taper. The coupling efficiency (CE) between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may be, e.g., about 1.4%, since most of the light energy is does not propagate in the waveguide 10. The mismatch between the sizes of the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 lowers the CE. In some embodiments, even for the waveguide 10 having one waveguide tip or one waveguide taper, the CE between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may be, e.g., about 42.3%. Still a large amount of light energy does not propagate in the waveguide 10.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the waveguide 10 has two waveguide tips or two waveguide tapers (e.g., the forks 121 and 122). The waveguide 10 having at least two forks may be referred to as fork-type waveguide. In some embodiments, the CE between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may increase to, e.g., about 61.1%. Thus, the fork-type optical waveguide increases the optical coupling efficiency, because at least some of the light beams propagating in the forks 121 and 122 can form constructive interference in the main body 12 a. In some embodiments, the forks 121 and 122 may also increase the tolerance of the horizontal offset between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C illustrate simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the lateral distance between the first tapering end 121 a and the second tapering end 122 a (shown in FIG. 2) may be about twice the value of Gap as shown in FIG. 4A. Referring to FIG. 4A, in some embodiments, an optimal range of the CE between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may correspond to Gap value of, e.g., about 0.5 μm to about 2.5 μm, about 0.75 μm to about 2.25 μm, about 1 μm to about 2 μm, or about 1.25 μm to about 1.75 μm.

FIG. 4B illustrates the coupling efficiencies corresponding to various values of the lateral buffer distance between the surface 22 of the optical device 20 and the facets 14 (shown in FIG. 2 as L_buffer). In some embodiments, L_buffer may be, e.g., less than about 40 μm, less than about 30 μm, or less than about 25 μm. In some embodiments, when L_buffer is, e.g., less than about 5 μm, the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may be difficult to be aligned. In some embodiment, if L_buffer is between about 5 μm to about 25 μm, a proper alignment between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may be achieved and a suitable, desired or optimal CE may be obtained. In some embodiments, an optimal CE between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may correspond to an L_buffer value of, e.g., about 10 μm.

A lateral width of the facet 14 of one of the tapering ends 121 a and 122 a may be referred to as a Tip width. FIG. 4C illustrates the coupling efficiencies corresponding to various values of the lateral width of the facet 14. As shown in FIG. 4C, in some embodiments, an optimal CE between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may correspond to a Tip width of, e.g., less than about 0.3 μm, less than about 0.2 μm, or less than about 0.1 μm.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5A, a curve 71 corresponds to a waveguide having a single tip, a curve 72 corresponds to a waveguide having two tips, and a curve 73 corresponds to a waveguide having three tips (triple-tip waveguide). The X-axis of FIG. 5A corresponds to the horizontal offset between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20. The Y-axis of FIG. 5A corresponds to the coupling efficiency. At least according to some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5A, the waveguide having two tips (curve 72) may have a coupling efficiency that is higher than coupling efficiencies of the waveguide having a single tip (curve 71) and the waveguide having three tips (curve 73).

Referring to FIG. 5B, a curve 71′ corresponds to a waveguide having a single tip, a curve 72′ corresponds to a waveguide having two tips and a curve 73′ corresponds to a waveguide having three tips (triple-tip waveguide). The X-axis of FIG. 5B corresponds to the horizontal offset between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20. The Y-axis of FIG. 5B corresponds to the coupling loss. At least according to some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5B, the waveguide having two tips (curve 72′) may have a coupling loss that is lower than the coupling loses of the waveguide having a single tip (curve 71′) and the waveguide having three tips (curve 73′).

FIG. 6 illustrates simulation results in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, an angle θ shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the angle θ shown in FIG. 2 between the central axis and one of the first tapering end 121 a and the second tapering end 122 a. As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, an optimal CE between the waveguide 10 and the optical fiber 20 may correspond to an angle θ of, e.g., about 0.15 degree to about 0.8 degree, about 0.3 degree to about 0.7 degree, or about 0.45 degree to about 0.5 degree.

In some embodiments, a fork-type waveguide may include more than two forks. FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an optical device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The light transmission layer 12 includes a main body 12 a, a fork 121, a fork 122, a fork 123 and a fork 124. The fork 121, the fork 122, the fork 123 and the fork 124 may be disposed symmetrically. In some embodiments, the light beams propagating in the fork 121, the fork 122, the fork 123 and the fork 124 may form constructive interference in the main body 12 a. In some embodiments, the light transmission layer 12 may include the fork 121, the fork 122 and the fork 123, and may omit the fork 124 (not shown). The fork 121, the fork 122 and the fork 123 may be disposed symmetrically. In some embodiments, the light beams propagating in the fork 121, the fork 122 and the fork 123 may form constructive interference in the main body 12 a.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an optical device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The light transmission layer 12 includes a main body 12 a and a cone-like (or funnel-shaped) extension portion 12 b. The cone-like portion 12 b has a circular-like end 14 extending around a circumference of the cone-like portion 12 b, and the cone-like portion 12 b tapers from the end 14 towards the main body 12 a. The light beams propagating in the cone-like portion 12 b may form the constructive interference in the main body 12 a. In some embodiments, a lateral distance between the surface 22 of the optical fiber 20 (not shown) and the circular-like end 14 for receiving light may be, e.g., less than about 5 μm, less than about 10 μm, less than 25 μm, or less than about 50 μm.

As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “approximately” and “about” are used to describe and account for small variations. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event or circumstance occurs to a close approximation. For example, when used in conjunction with a numerical value, the terms can encompass a range of variation of less than or equal to ±10% of that numerical value, such as less than or equal to ±5%, less than or equal to ±4%, less than or equal to ±3%, less than or equal to ±2%, less than or equal to ±1%, less than or equal to ±0.5%, less than or equal to ±0.1%, or less than or equal to ±0.05%. For example, two numerical values can be deemed to be “substantially” or “approximately” the same if a difference between the values is less than or equal to ±10% of an average of the values, such as less than or equal to ±5%, less than or equal to ±4%, less than or equal to ±3%, less than or equal to ±2%, less than or equal to ±1%, less than or equal to ±0.5%, less than or equal to ±0.1%, or less than or equal to ±0.05%. For example, a parameter may be deemed to be “substantially” constant if a maximum deviation of a value of the parameter from an average value of the parameter is less than or equal to ±10% of the average value, such as less than or equal to ±5%, less than or equal to ±4%, less than or equal to ±3%, less than or equal to ±2%, less than or equal to ±1%, less than or equal to ±0.5%, less than or equal to ±0.1%, or less than or equal to ±0.05%.

Additionally, amounts, ratios, and other numerical values are sometimes presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such range format is used for convenience and brevity and should be understood flexibly to include numerical values explicitly specified as limits of a range, but also to include all individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly specified.

While the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments thereof, these descriptions and illustrations do not limit the present disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The illustrations may not necessarily be drawn to scale. There may be distinctions between the artistic renditions in the present disclosure and the actual apparatus due to manufacturing processes and tolerances. There may be other embodiments of the present disclosure which are not specifically illustrated. The specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, method, or process to the objective, spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto. While the methods disclosed herein have been described with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the operations are not limitations of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A waveguide, comprising: a first layer comprising a first material of a first refractive index; and a second layer surrounded by the first layer and comprising a second material of a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index, the second layer comprising: a main body having a first substantially constant thickness; a first fork extended from the main body and having a first tapering end exposed by the first layer, the first fork having the first substantially constant thickness; and a second fork extended from the main body and having a second tapering end exposed by the first layer, the second fork having the first substantially constant thickness.
 2. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein the first and second forks are disposed symmetrically.
 3. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein the main body has a central axis and an angle between the central axis and one of the first tapering end and the second tapering end is less than about 1 degree.
 4. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein a width of one of the first tapering end and the second tapering end is less than about 0.1 micrometers (μm).
 5. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein a lateral distance between the first tapering end and the second tapering end is about 1 μm to about 3 μm.
 6. The waveguide of claim 1, further comprising a third fork, wherein the first fork, the second fork and the third fork are disposed symmetrically.
 7. The waveguide of claim 1, further comprising a third fork and a fourth fork, wherein the first fork, the second fork, the third fork and the fourth fork are disposed symmetrically.
 8. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second tapering ends has a facet with a shape of a rectangle.
 9. An optical device, comprising: a waveguide, the waveguide comprising: a first layer comprising a first material of a first refractive index; and a second layer surrounded by the first layer and comprising a second material of a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index, the second layer comprising: a main body; and a plurality of forks extended from the main body, each fork including a tapering end; wherein the forks are configured to propagate light beams that form constructive interference in the main body.
 10. The optical device of claim 9, wherein the forks are disposed symmetrically, the main body has a first thickness, each of the forks has a second thickness, and the first thickness is substantially the same as the second thickness.
 11. The optical device of claim 9, wherein each of the tapering ends of the forks comprises a facet configured to receive light, the main body has a central axis, and an angle between the central axis and one of the facets is less than about 1 degree.
 12. The optical device of claim 11, wherein a width of at least one of the facets of the tapering ends is less than about 0.1 μm.
 13. The optical device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the facets of the tapering ends is rectangular.
 14. The optical device of claim 9, wherein a lateral distance between at least two of the tapering ends is about 1 μm to about 3 μm.
 15. The optical device of claim 9, wherein the forks comprise at least a first fork, a second fork and a third fork, wherein the first, second and third forks are configured to propagate light beams that form constructive interference in the main body.
 16. An optical device, comprising: a waveguide, the waveguide comprising: a first layer comprising a first material of a first refractive index; and a second layer surrounded by the first layer and comprising a second material of a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index, the second layer comprising: a main body; and an extension portion, wherein the extension portion has an end extending around a circumference of the extension portion, and the extension portion tapers from the end towards the main body; wherein the extension portion is configured to propagate light beams that form constructive interference in the main body. 